The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-31

strictly to New York-no other American
city or town having even 30 much as con-
templated borrowing it. To Washington,
when he came to reside in New York as
the first President of the new republic, it
was a novelty. New Years came on Fri.
day in 1870; Mrs. Washington was, there
fore, at home, it being her usual day of
the week for receiving calls. The Presi-
dent stood beside her, with all the stiff
ness for which he was remarkable. Guests
began to arrive at noon, and during the
afternoon hours, came the Vice-presi-
dent, the Governor, the Senators, Repre-
sentatives, foreign public characters, and
all the principal gentlemen of the city;
while, in the evening, such as remained
were served to tea, coffee and plum and
plain cake. Washington's curiosity found
preston before the company finally de-
parted. He asked New Yorker wheth-
er such usages were casual or otherwise,
and, being told that New Years calling
had always been feature of New York
life, observed, with emphasis: "The
highly favored situation of New York
will, in the process Of years, attract num-
erous emigrants who will gradually
change its ancient customs and manners;
but, whatever changes take place, never
forget the cordial and cheerful observ-
ance of New Years Day."
Since then the custom has winged its
way to the remotest corners of the land,
from ocean to ocean, until nearly every
place of any size on the American CONT
nent maintains general interchange of
civilities on New Years Day. In the city
of Washington, as in New York, it might
appropriately be called "Gentleman's
Day." No bright colors enliven the
streets; but dark clouds of broadcloth
are drifted by the gusts of inclination or
duty in ali directions. Industry retires
from public view, not a business vehicle
cumbers the broad thoroughfares. Car
riages filled with gentlemen line the ave-
que of travel, and gentlemsnly throng
blockades the sidewalks.
The custom, like other customs, has
it's abuses. At one period the unman-
nerly young man multiplied himself
indefinitely in order to gain access to
high places. But when the ladies found
they were compelled to greet dudes and
strangers instead of expected friends,
they corrected the impertlnence by send
ing cards as for any other reception.
This special abuse came through the
rapid influx Of people from other COM
munities, and was confined chiefly to the
metropolis.
In Washington the assemblage of Wis.
itors on New Years Day at the Executive
Mansion is one of the most brilliant of
the year. The ladies of the Cabinet Of
ficers, of the Chief Justice and Justices
of the Supreme Court, and of the foreign
Ministers, in full dress, usually pay their
respects to the President and the ladies'
of his household, in company with their
husbands, and then return to their own
parlors to receive during the remainder
of the day. Through whim of fashion,
the time-honored custom has recently
been frowned upon by SOME of the lead
ers in New York society-but for how
long is an open question. The New
Years holiday not being an offspring of
fashion in any sense, and its observances
having been entailed through the ages
the chances are very slight that it will
be permanently affected by SO erratic a
power Magazine of american History.